Interior Experts' Top Picks: Must-Have IKEA Products

While traditional retail streets may be struggling, IKEA has decided to open new outlets. new flagship store This week on Oxford Street has reignited enthusiasm among numerous British shoppers.

Ikea launched its initial store in the UK back in 1987, transforming the way we furnish our homes forever.

At these places, interior designers and specialists share the items they enjoy purchasing during their visits.

'I purchase the bookshelves and introduce color with paint.'

For Micaela Sharp, widely recognised for her roles in television series such as Interior Design Masters , Changing Rooms and The Woodland Workshop The secret to IKEA shopping lies in keeping your personal style front and center as you browse.

“I love the Kallax bookshelf (£40) because it’s really versatile”, says Sharp.

They also offer a frame where you can place it sideways and turn it into a bench. An integrated bench with a dining table saves a lot of space, plus you get additional shelving beneath it which you can utilize for books, shoes, or anything else you might have.

I usually avoid painting it white and instead add a cushion or something similar on top.

Sharp, author of Modern Upholstery Additionally, suggests repurposing IKEA items such as adding tufted headboards or attaching new textiles to regular wardrobes, thereby turning them into one-of-a-kind furnishings.

Clearly, my affection for fabrics means that whenever possible, I'll incorporate them into designs. The PAX wardrobe series from IKEA (£204 onwards) offers great potential here. This range includes wardrobes with inlay panels; typically made of wood or glass, these panels can be easily replaced with fabric instead. You simply remove the original panel and insert your chosen material. To secure this new fabric element, you might fold it into pleats before stapling it to the reverse side of the door frame or threading it through a curtain rod attached behind the door itself—this approach introduces rich textures.

She mentions that people frequently err in purchasing white items from IKEA. Upon returning home, they find out everything looks rather bland and wind up with excessive empty spaces in their rooms." She advises, wherever feasible, to opt for colored pieces or consider painting them yourself instead.

Sharp also seeks out limited-edition collaborations with designers, like last year’s Kontsfull collection of vases created alongside Ilse Crawford.

'I purchased my kitchen from IKEA.'

Kevin McCloud, the acclaimed designer and presenter of Grand Designs is also a admirer of Ikea Last year, he set up an IKEA kitchen at his residence in Hereford, blending it with locally sourced, independent craftsmanship and designs to create a more customized look.

If you're constructing something that you can order as a customized item from a catalog, then why are you undertaking this project?" he asks. "Moreover, if your sole intention is to make an impression, there are numerous more affordable methods available.

He also enjoys the Lixhult collection from IKEA.

"He assures me with confidence," he says, gesturing towards the Lixhult cabinet ( priced at £40 onwards) in his house.

I have stated publicly on TV that I constructed this cabinet in just four and a half minutes. As everyone knows, flatpacks often come with poorly written manuals, leading to many issues. Fortunately, I believe we've moved beyond that stage now, which is fantastic.

As per McCloud, who is overseeing Grand Designs Live, the key to making sure your purchases endure over time is not to strive excessively for trendiness.

You can add flavor, you can incorporate trends, but honestly, these elements are either fleeting or trivial. The true essence lies in whether an item is thoughtfully designed and meticulously crafted.

He likewise offers guidance for those inclined towards impulsive IKEA shopping. "I'm an advocate of early-morning raid shopping. Go with a specific purpose. Never just wander around."

'I get ideas from Ikea's design and planning tools.'

For essential kitchen tools, Angela Trofymova, who leads tests at the Good Housekeeping Institute, highly recommends the RM3 Ikea peeler. She mentions that it’s "incredibly budget-friendly and performs exceptionally well."

She also suggests the £3 DIMPA storage bag, stating that the "clear, oversized bag comes to the rescue. It can hold anything from linens to a collapsible Brompton bicycle, ensuring all items stay well-organised and readily available thanks to dual zippers and protection against dust. You can pack it full of belongings - it’s robust and water-resistant. An excellent storage option!"

In the meantime, Blossom Boothroyd, who manages homes at the Good Housekeeping Institute, loves the £5 ASPEKT knife sharpener: "This tool ensures my kitchen knives stay sharp and are always prepared for any cooking tasks with little exertion."

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She mentions that when shopping, instead of just noting down product codes, "it’s better to take photos—since IKEA offers an extensive range of furniture, it can be easy to lose track of what items look like. Additionally, exploring IKEA’s design and planning resources online can provide great ideas on how the pieces might fit into your space and complement your overall decor. This tip is particularly useful if you're revamping a bedroom or kitchen."

Boothroyd mentions that the MOSSLANDA picture ledge, priced from £4 to £12 based on its dimensions, serves as an ideal illustration of an item that exceeds its stated purpose.

She mentions it’s "excellent for filling large gaps with your favorite photos and knick-knacks, as well as organizing your shelves and work area. It also serves well to store your hats and bags!"

‘I go for a high-low mix for my tableware’

Red The magazine editor-in-chief, Sarah Tomczak, greatly appreciates IKEA’s budget-friendly table linens. She enhances her decor by combining them with vintage and pricier items.

"When it comes to accessories, I adore the table linens; they're perfect for large purchases and great for outdoor parties," she mentions, speaking about IKEA's £4 VIPPSTARR tablecloth and £1 napkins.

They excel for al fresco meals as they are quite affordable, allowing you to buy plenty without feeling like you need to be overly cautious with them.

Tomczak is equally fond of the £15 STRIMMIG dinner plates from Ikea: "Ikea excels at providing essentials, hence I've purchased simple 'daily' dinner plates as well, which I then pair with more decorative tableware for an eclectic look. The Scandinavian simplicity and color scheme they offer do not become outdated easily."

Similar to many things, it's about balancing affordability with luxury. Therefore, while I might choose their table linens, I'd also invest in pricier dinnerware to place on top. However, these items excel at providing an excellent range of colors. In my opinion, their hues seem more upscale compared to those from numerous other premium labels.